Arbroath has been cited as one of the most affordable places to commute to Aberdeen from, according to new research by Bank of Scotland.
The study examined house prices from towns within an hour’s commute of the Granite City which were measured against average earnings, both locally and in relation to the nearest city.
The Aberdeen average house price is £210,522 and workers with an average 15 minute journey to work are paying 28% more for property with houses in the likes of Stonehaven averaging £269,126.
Stretching further afield doesn’t add much of a saving with a half hour commute costing 11% more in property with the average price at £234,143.
Arbroath proved to be the most affordable location, with an hour commute and an average house price of £127,497.
Montrose was fourth in the table with an average house price of £182,521 which was closely followed by Carnoustie at £184,243.
A separate study, How Scotland Lives, also produced by Bank of Scotland, highlighted that a shorter commute was a driver for increased happiness.
Graham Blair, mortgage director at Bank of Scotland said: “The length of the commute to work is a key factor when deciding where to set up home.
“Scotland has some great commuter towns where considerable savings on property can be made.
“However, the decision to commute is not one that should be made just on the finances.
“We know from our How Scotland Lives research that those who don’t have to travel long distances to work are often happier.
“There are many things to take into account when looking for a new home, not just the journey time to work.
“Quality of schools, sense of space and sense of community are also important to many house hunters across Scotland.”
Arbroath remains a popular commuter town for Dundee especially since the A92 was turned into a dual carriageway.
It lies even closer to Monifieth and Broughty Ferry and has now become part of the commuting area, being less than half an hour’s drive from Dundee city centre.
